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    Friend of The Devils: April 1978 (Dead.net Exclusive) [19 CD]

     

    WHAT'S INSIDE:
    Curtis Hixon Convention Hall, Tampa, FL 4/6/78
    Sportatorium, Pembroke Pines, FL 4/7/78
    Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Jacksonville, FL 4/8/78
    Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA 4/10/78
    Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA 4/11/78
    Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University, Durham, NC 4/12/78
    Cassell Coliseum, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA 4/14/78
    Huntington Civic Center, Huntington, WV 4/16/78

    Recorded By Betty Cantor-Jackson
    Newly restored and speed-corrected audio by Plangent Processes
    Mastered by Jeffrey Norman
    Liners By Author Steve Silberman
    Artwork By Acclaimed Artist Matthew Brannon

    Limited To 10,000 Individually Numbered Copies
    Dead.net Exclusive

    It’s been said before but April ‘78 was an incredible month for the Dead. Like May ‘77, you could throw a dart and guarantee you hit a stellar show. - KyloRensPecs, r/gratefuldead, Reddit

    .... April/May '78 has a lot of the same qualities of Spring '77 but with some extra edge and a much bigger sound from the Rhythm Devils. A really special era that often gets neglected. - viewtiful_alan, r/gratefuldead, Reddit

    Sportatorium - April 7, 1989

    when drums started I thought, oh s*#!, i hate drum solos and Billy and Mickey stopped me in my tracks. Wow, these guys are really good. Little did I know the pervasive influence this phenomena would have on my life. - pearlybakerbest, Dead.net

    Huntington Civic Centre, West Virginia – 16 April 1978

    This is another must-hear concert by The Grateful Dead. The sound and mix are almost ‘absolutely perfect'... It’s difficult to pick out highlights because everything is played so well; the band are tight, Donna is great and the set list is strong. - Grateful Ted, gratefulted.co.uk

    We're hitting the bullseye with the eight previously unreleased stellar shows that make up FRIEND OF THE DEVILS: APRIL 1978. Filled to the brim with peak performances from the Grateful Dead's post-hiatus period, this collection captures the historic tour where "Drums" begat "Space," morphed into "Drums">"Space" and cemented the Rhythm Devils' second-set power move from the music business to the "transportation business."

    Spring 1978 finds the Dead consistently weaving spontaneous magic, showing signs of great promise and potential - from the no-nonsense rock'n'roll in Tampa, where scholars cite the first "Drumz" leading into "Space," to the lengthy communal get down in Pembroke Pines to Jacksonville where the twain emerge fully formed, offering the primordial opportunity for "soul retrieval." It's evident in the dynamic range delivered on back-to-back nights at the intimate Fox Theatre and through the laid-back unity of the band's performance in Durham at Duke, a comfort that carries over to Virginia and West Virginia where the playing is unbridled, bursting with momentum, threatening to carry itself away. And nowhere can you hear that more clearly than through Betty Cantor-Jackson's original recordings, reliably crisp, bright, and vivid.

    Individually numbered to 10,000 copies and exclusive to Dead.net, FRIEND OF THE DEVILS: APRIL 1978 has been mastered by Audio Engineer Jeffrey Norman using Plangent Processes tape restoration and speed correction. Steve Vance designed the collection’s custom box, which features a removable wave drum. (We invite you to unleash your inner Rhythm Devil.) Acclaimed artist Matthew Brannon created the set’s original artwork. The collection also includes a 48-page book with original liner notes by author Steve Silberman and photos by James Anderson, Bob Minkin, and more.

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  • #51
    RyXs
    Joined:
    Beware of Mr. Baker!

    Interesting be the comment on drum solos, even more so when a few well known percussionists of all time are name dropped. {Humorously correct about Keith Moon} I would argue that 'Rhythm Devils' is more than just a simple drum solo, to which the Dead did plenty of. I would also surmise the 'Rythym Devils' era was some of the best drum solos the Dead did, but there were also some great Brent era versions, especially during the early 1980's. Now anyone needs a bathroom break every now and then, and also must choose an opportune time to do so. Though to dismissively cast away drum solos {aside from time length duration} would be to test the wrath of one of the greatest all time percussionists, Ginger Baker! All due respect to Ginger and may the Great Spirit rest his soul, he passed on five years ago this October. {There is a great documentary about Ginger with the same name as my post title} If Ginger was alive and within earshot of any drum solo condemnation, you better beware of Mr. Baker!

  • #52
    boblopes
    Joined:
    split shipment

    Got shipping notice for the box and the vinyl - makes sense to ship separately, but no date yet to New England...

  • #53
    proudfoot
    Joined:
    Seastones celebration?

    I'M IN, BABY!!!!!

    The 20-minute drum solos? Yes, I can live without those.

    I was listening to 4/14/78 the other day and...nearly 20 minutes of banging and clanging.

  • #54
    JoeyMC
    Joined:
    Everyone

    Dark-Star has me laughing out loud...

    Deadvikes, I hope you are correct about no hand off.

    VGuy, Thats a nice picture. :)

    My box has made it to New Mexico, I am in Central New York :(

  • #55
    gratefulgerd
    Joined:
    Hangin' Out In California

    Tracking still says: Awaiting Processing, Whittier, CA - Sep 16, 2024, 10.23h AM PT -
    So, next week should be a good week!
    Looking forward for first comments.
    Cheers Gerd

  • #56
    Dark-Star
    Joined:
    Looking Forward to 1978

    Is there a better day than "Box set day"? I can't wait to hear this stuff. By April 1978 Jerry’s voice is string again and they're still tight like 1977 (I prefer April 78 over Oct 77 - tighter and more rehearsed IMHO). And many of the songs on Blues for Al and Terrapin grew in 78 (jams and whatnot).

    What I won't be doing is including rhythm Devils tracks on my digital folder not even ripping this crap. The only thing worse than wasting 20 minutes of concert time that could have gone toward ANY real songs is to "theme" a box set after this bathroom break activity. What next - 74 box to celebrate Seastones? Drum solos should have been eliminated by promoters for everyone but Bonham and Peart. I would say Moon too but his routine was a constant drum solo all the time (but with the who playing around him).

  • #57
    DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Joey

    FedEx as well. Showing a Tuesday delivery. No USPS hand off. FedEx home delivery, which is great.

    Next week will be fun.

  • #58
    Vguy72
    Joined:
    Upgrades....

    ....I'm going with baby steps. My Onkyo bookshelves are getting old and tired. Fact.
    Just picked up Gilmours new record today at Target while getting food at the Petsmart next door for three of this households best friends. Also just Pre-ordered Billy Strings new record due on 9/28. And the Surfragettes new record. Due in October. Cool all girl surf rock band. There is my vinyl spending for the month.
    No shipping notice here yet.
    New avatar is the wife and I getting off our first train ride. Ever.
    Edit.....shipping notice just dropped. No more intel however. Par, meet course.

  • #59
    Obeah
    Joined:
    Shipping

    Shipped late Wednesday afternoon for me. Fedex. Just the shipping label at this point, which means even though both origin and dest are in CA I won't see it until Monday at the earliest. But that's to be expected.

    Package size showing as 10x10x8 - hmmm. PacNW box was 10x10x14. (Inches)

  • #60
    JoeyMC
    Joined:
    Shipping

    I blew a gasket when I saw FedEx delivery, I have a UPS premium subscription specifically to avoid the Dead.net UPS/USPS circle jerk. And so now FedEx will deliver to USPS and I'll wait longer.

    According to the dimensions it is not a big box..

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Dead Store Products

Friend of The Devils: April 1978 (Dead.net Exclusive) [19 CD]

 

WHAT'S INSIDE:
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall, Tampa, FL 4/6/78
Sportatorium, Pembroke Pines, FL 4/7/78
Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Jacksonville, FL 4/8/78
Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA 4/10/78
Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA 4/11/78
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University, Durham, NC 4/12/78
Cassell Coliseum, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA 4/14/78
Huntington Civic Center, Huntington, WV 4/16/78

Recorded By Betty Cantor-Jackson
Newly restored and speed-corrected audio by Plangent Processes
Mastered by Jeffrey Norman
Liners By Author Steve Silberman
Artwork By Acclaimed Artist Matthew Brannon

Limited To 10,000 Individually Numbered Copies
Dead.net Exclusive

It’s been said before but April ‘78 was an incredible month for the Dead. Like May ‘77, you could throw a dart and guarantee you hit a stellar show. - KyloRensPecs, r/gratefuldead, Reddit

.... April/May '78 has a lot of the same qualities of Spring '77 but with some extra edge and a much bigger sound from the Rhythm Devils. A really special era that often gets neglected. - viewtiful_alan, r/gratefuldead, Reddit

Sportatorium - April 7, 1989

when drums started I thought, oh s*#!, i hate drum solos and Billy and Mickey stopped me in my tracks. Wow, these guys are really good. Little did I know the pervasive influence this phenomena would have on my life. - pearlybakerbest, Dead.net

Huntington Civic Centre, West Virginia – 16 April 1978

This is another must-hear concert by The Grateful Dead. The sound and mix are almost ‘absolutely perfect'... It’s difficult to pick out highlights because everything is played so well; the band are tight, Donna is great and the set list is strong. - Grateful Ted, gratefulted.co.uk

We're hitting the bullseye with the eight previously unreleased stellar shows that make up FRIEND OF THE DEVILS: APRIL 1978. Filled to the brim with peak performances from the Grateful Dead's post-hiatus period, this collection captures the historic tour where "Drums" begat "Space," morphed into "Drums">"Space" and cemented the Rhythm Devils' second-set power move from the music business to the "transportation business."

Spring 1978 finds the Dead consistently weaving spontaneous magic, showing signs of great promise and potential - from the no-nonsense rock'n'roll in Tampa, where scholars cite the first "Drumz" leading into "Space," to the lengthy communal get down in Pembroke Pines to Jacksonville where the twain emerge fully formed, offering the primordial opportunity for "soul retrieval." It's evident in the dynamic range delivered on back-to-back nights at the intimate Fox Theatre and through the laid-back unity of the band's performance in Durham at Duke, a comfort that carries over to Virginia and West Virginia where the playing is unbridled, bursting with momentum, threatening to carry itself away. And nowhere can you hear that more clearly than through Betty Cantor-Jackson's original recordings, reliably crisp, bright, and vivid.

Individually numbered to 10,000 copies and exclusive to Dead.net, FRIEND OF THE DEVILS: APRIL 1978 has been mastered by Audio Engineer Jeffrey Norman using Plangent Processes tape restoration and speed correction. Steve Vance designed the collection’s custom box, which features a removable wave drum. (We invite you to unleash your inner Rhythm Devil.) Acclaimed artist Matthew Brannon created the set’s original artwork. The collection also includes a 48-page book with original liner notes by author Steve Silberman and photos by James Anderson, Bob Minkin, and more.

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Submitted by DeadVikes on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 08:01

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Dave's unboxing video is out. Glad to see he has his box. He is the producer and legacy manager so I am glad he doesn't have to wait.

Box looks super cool. I wonder how it is selling?

Last year's sold out in less than a month with 10,000 copies.

Can't wait to get mine next week.

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10 years

Submitted by 1stshow70878 on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 08:08

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The drum has rattles inside?
Dave's fluffy cat photobombs him.
My shipping now says Saturday.
Cheers

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17 years 3 months

Submitted by Chuck on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 09:23

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My Dead Box set was delayed in New Mexico due to weather Now back on track to come on Saturday by FedEx, but my Dylan Box was put off for three weeks on Amazon?? Now coming on Oct.9th??? I see some people have received theirs?? Were these ordered directly from the Bob Dylan web sight? Which now says Sold Out?

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17 years 3 months

Submitted by marye on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 09:34

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So sorry for the trouble; I've brought this to the Doc's attention and hope for a speedy resolution. Onward!
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15 years

Submitted by Colin Gould on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 10:53

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CHUCK
I ordered mine from a UK record store called Badlands. Looking at the UK Amazon site I see they are now selling from the US site rather than directly. Delivery 7th to 22nd October!
I’ve noticed this with the last two Garcialive releases. The UK site sells from the US, all the earlier ones came directly from the UK.

Edit: It wouldn’t be deadnet if the downloads worked immediately. They appear unable to learn from past mistakes.

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Submitted by Chuck on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 11:12

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Colin......Thanks for the Info. I also noticed my original Amazon order was for $129.00 Now it is down to $106.00

Time for another Floor to Celling wall shelf unit in my (what used to be an extra bedroom) extra room

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Submitted by itsburnsy on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 12:09

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Box has arrived in Snohomish WA! Love it when a release comes on a Friday, doesn't get any better than that...

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9 years 1 month

Submitted by Gary Farseer on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 13:43

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Was in the grocery store, there was a gentleman in front of me in the produce section. He was coming toward me, and turned into an aisle. He was wearing an older tie dye. I ask him to see what was on the back, didnt wear correct glasses. It was not a GD shirt. He heard me and the first thing out of his mouth was "Are you a dead head?" So gave him the secret hand shake and wink. Riiiiggghhht. We started talking for a while and he said his first show was 10/17/70 at The Cleveland Music Hall. We ended up talking for 15 minutes, some in all eras but mostly his early years. He siad some people said it was a horrble concert to which I replied "some people always say was a bad show," most who were not there. Exchanged contact info. Any way here is his show as reported on some sites but not on others from best i can tell. Think it has some errors as cut and paste was struggling.

Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/2019)

Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/2019)

Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/201 - ooops
Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/2019)

Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/2019)

Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/201 - ooops

I am downloading now.

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13 years 10 months

Submitted by bigbrownie on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 13:54

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It sounds like it's breathing...in a Darth Vader sort of way.

Knew there were going to be some issues with last post. Dead slowed me down some causing double posts.

Also guessing even bustin the archive link up wouldnt let me post. Send message if want the link I can try again but show is out there.

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7 years 8 months

Submitted by Obeah on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 14:08

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:)))

And like Vguy, now my tracking info says to be delivered today. Our cups runneth over.

Glad people's boxes are arriving! I think I will put on 9/20/70 to honor the date and pass the time whilst I wait.

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8 years 4 months

Submitted by wharfrat6969 on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 14:31

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Got mine today. The box is an easy to shelf size. Thanks Dave. Beats the heck out of MSG box design.

I'm into runs of shows so happy also. Maybe next year Summer Tour 85' Greeks thru Chula Vista?

Drum rain sound item has already been used on my cats. Confusion & chaos abounds.

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11 years 10 months

Submitted by Dennis on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 14:43

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Everything ripped in and filed.

My quick pokes while ripping shows the recording to be very nice. Phil sounded real sweet.

Now to find a place on the shelf!

Dylan and Duke 78 have labels printed also and they are awaiting product.

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3 years 1 month

Submitted by jjc on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 15:19

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Mine still sitting at label created. Are the downloads working this time or not?

Usual. Thx. I got my ship notice but has been sitting at label created since the 18th. Thought about buying the downloads also but Honestly tired of dealing with this entity.

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13 years 10 months

Submitted by Junk1234 on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 16:50

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Avoided issues with the FLAC downloads by not pre-ordering (like I did with the Here Comes Sunshine box downloads), and purchased around lunch time today. No issues - when I completed checking out I was presented with 8 individual links on-screen for zipped folders of each of the shows. I also received the email with the links but didn't need to use them.

Spent the late afternoon cleaning up the tags. Now I need to find time to actually listen to the thing!

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10 years 3 months

Submitted by Birchwood on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 16:58

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I'm on the fence about this box . . . I like the general look better now that I've seen the "trailer" but this business with the drum . . . I'm a drummer, so I'm suspicious that this is just a cheapo toy thrown in as some kitschy come on. Is this an actual well-made playable durable Rhythm Devils approved drum or some fancy doggy chew toy? Anybody know?

product sku
081227816759
Product Magento URL
https://store.dead.net/en/grateful-dead/special-collections/friend-of-the-devils/friend-of-the-devils-april-1978-dead.net-exclusive-%5B19-cd%5D/081227816759.html